Packing means



Jan 1, 1935. I M. KOPPELMAN 1,986,344

PACKING MEANS Filed Feb. 11, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 M. KOPPELMAN Jan. 1, 1935.

PACKING MEANS Filed Feb. 11, 1930 2 Sheetzw-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 1, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFF-ICE PACKING MEANS Morris Koppelman, Brooklyn, N. Y., Holed-Tite Packing Corporation,

assignor to New York,

15 Claims.

The present improvements relate, in general, to packing for fragile articles and more particularly to packing for incandescent bulbs, radio tubes and the like, and for cartons containin such or similar globular articles. The improvements are accordingly designed to provide a holder or filler adapted for use as a container itself or within other cartons or containers.

A primary object, among others, of the present improvements is to provide a novel one piece packing for individual fragile articles or containers. Another object is to provide a holder of the aforementioned type which may be readily folded and inserted into an enclosing container.

Another object is to provide an improved packing means of the wrapper or sleeve type, whereby an article may be packed therein and placed in a surrounding container without employing separate or auxiliary packing such aspaper, excelsior and the like, and one possessing combined characteristics of rigidity and resiliency thereby affording supporting as well as cushioning elects to the embraced article.

A further object of the improvements is to provide a protective covering or sheath for individual fragile articles wherein the hinge portions thereof serve as strengthening ribs or reinforcing means for a surrounding container, as well as a covering which, in addition to its inherent resiliency, is adjustable in response to shocks or pressure and thereby presents a cushioning effect.

The production of the present type of holder in one manufacturing operation, as well as the reduction in breakage of packed articles constitutes further objects of the improvements.

Other objects and advantages of the present improvements will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the accompanyin sp cification and drawings in which Fig. l is a plan view of one embodiment of the present improvements;

Fig. 2 is a side view thereof, illustrating a radio tube associated therewith;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the improvements illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the folded holder, surrounding a packed article, and enclosed in an outer container;

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4, illustrating a modified form;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 4, illustrating tin-- other modified form;

Fig. 8 is a section on line 8-8 of Fig. '1; Fig. 9 is an end view of a wrapper, illustrating one manner of flexing same, under shocks or pressure.

In the embodiments illustrated herein, the holder or filler consists of a single sheet of material, all parts of which are preferably formed 5 integral with the sheet in one operation. The sheet is preferably formed bythe pulp sucking or felting process wherein floating fibres are drawn againsta screen member, so that the holder or filler is created complete in one operation. Acl0 cordingly, the foraminous die or mold is so shaped that the pulp deposited thereon will assume the prescribed form and contour of the filler. In this manner, a sheet of relatively rigid material results, which has a suflicient degree of elasticity to yield under pressure, but also to exert a counter pressure tending to return the sheet to its original form. An inherent resilience and elasticity is thus present in the sheet and parts thereof, providing a cushioning effect generally as well as locally.

Referring to the drawings, the sheet 10 shown in unfolded position in Fig. 1 is preferably formed in flat or unfolded condition in the above described manner. In the preferred embodiment, said sheet comprises a plurality of substantially parallel sections or wall portions 11 to 14. Although four such portions are illustrated in Fig. 1, it is understood that this number may be reduced or increased. For example, the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6 employs three such portions.

These portions 11 to 14 are connected along their longitudinal edges by integral fold lines defining hinges 15 to 17 about which the portions may be folded. Upon reference to Fig. 3 it will be seen that the portions 11 to 14 are preformed in arched or curved condition so as to present a concavo-convex form. Although the said portions may be formed flat or uniplanular and then bowed to shape at the time of use, the present improvements preferably contemplate the creation of the arched sections at the time of manufacture. Furthermore, the curvature of these portions is preferably to one side of the plane of the hinge portions (see Fig. 3) and traverses the sheet either in whole or in part.

As each of the portions 11 to 14 ofa given sheet are preferably substantially the same, but one will be described. The concavo-convex portion 11 is formed at the time of manufacture with a recess or depression 18 which extends away from the convex surface and protrudes into the meniscus cavity of the portion. This depression obviously may have any desired form, although best results are attained by providing an article conforming cavity such as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, wherein the depression simulates the contour of an incandescent bulb or radio tube. However, where articles are substantially spherical rather than elongated, the depressions 18 may be correspondingly shaped.

Furthermore, the convex surface of portion 11 is provided with a projection or protuberance 19 preferably at a convenient location as for example at the end of the depression 18. Although one such protuberance may be sufficient for intended purposes, a second projection 20 may be provided at another location as for example, at the end of the depression opposite the location of element 19. As aforementioned, these projections, when provided, are created with the sheet at the time of manufacture and may be of any desired form.

In use, the article to be packed may be placed on one of the portions, e. g. 12, as seen in Fig. 2 and the sheet 10 may be folded along lines to 17, sections 11 to 14 being folded toward each other with the convex surfaces disposed inwardly, thereby encompassing the bulb 21 in the nature of a sleeve or sheath. A protective wrapper for the individual packed article is thus provided, which may be employed as a carton itself, since the walls 1114 are self-sustaining, with twine or elastic bands holding the walls in position about the article.

The resulting wrapper or sleeve is preferably employed as a filler for a surrounding carton, such as 22 in Fig. 4.

As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5, the sheet 10 is preferably formed so that when the article is packed, one end thereof is exposed to facilitate testing of the bulb without removing same from its packed condition.

When the wrapper of the present improve-' ments is employed, it is notable that the enclosed article is engaged by the wrapper and is also cushioned generally and locally. Either of the projections 19 and or both are seen to engage the packed article so as to hold it in position and to prevent movement thereof relative to the walls of the wrapper. Likewise, the depressions 18, when the sheet is folded, each cooperate to provide a pocket with article conforming walls, whereby the article is also engaged and prevented from relative movement. Accordingly, the present improvements contemplate the provision of arched walls such as 11 to 14 having only depressions such as 18, having depressions 18 as well as projections 19 or having projections 19 and 20 without any depressions.

With respect to the cushioning effect resulting with the present improvements, it is notable that the walls of each depression 18 as well as the projections 19 and 20 each possess inherent resilience and a certain degree of rigidity due to their shape and texture. These members therefore effectively cushion and protect the fragile article on all sides. Since the arched walls 11 to 14 likewise are inherently elastic yet rigid, the ends of the article are protected against blows at the end. This effect is supplemented by the cushions 19.

An added feature of marked importance resides in the spring or flexible walls 11 to 14. Being preformed in curved relation, it is obvious that they resist pressure after the fashion of a. bow. When the walls are flexed under pressure they tend to return to the curved-shape which form is preserved due to the originalformation thereof. Accordingly the fibres constituting the texture of the walls are not distorted or ruptured when initially inserted in a carton, since, from their very creation into a sheet, their natural position is that of the configuration of the wall. This form having self sustaining walls, therefore represents a departure from known fillers which are intentionally gnade over-size, so that upon insertion in a carton they assume a curved position. But it is seen that this practice weakens the walls or fibres thereof so that the fibres are distorted from their natural position in a flat wall and therefore at the very time of packing, a weakened filler results, due to it being constantly held out of natural position. The cushion eflect of the wrapper as a whole is apparent from the foregoing explanation. However, upon reference to Fig. 9, a further cushioning effect of the wrapper is shown when pressure is brought to bear thereon at diagonally opposite corners.

Where the improvements are employed as a filler, it is notable that same may be placed in an outer carton such as 22 before packing the article and that the article may then be inserted endwise into the filler sleeve, the walls therefore being sufficiently flexible to temporarily expand to permit entry of the article to its inner position, whence the walls will flex back and hold the article in nested relation. Furthermore, attention is directed to the reinforcement which the fold lines or hinges 15 to Hand the adjacent ends 10A and 10B give to the surrounding carton or container 22. This may be observed in Fig. 4 wherein these elements brace and reinforce the outer container at the corners in the nature of ribs. This feature obviously prevents the outer carton from getting out of shape under pressure, that is to say, it preserves the right angled square form thereof and prevents one side from shifting relative to its opposite side to assume a rhombus or rhomboid form. Accordingly since the filler member is preformed and self-sustaining, it follows that the outer carton such as 22 may be made of an inexpensive grade of material, even material which alonemight not be sufllciently strong to be self-sustaining. An outer wrapper of this character would obviously be more economical, but with a filler of the present type, the combination of the two would sacrifice no advantage of a heavier outer container. The filler accordingly may act as a backbone so to speak, for a lighter weight container.

Upon reference to Fig. 6, a modified form is illustrated wherein the present improvements are embodied in triangular form. The wrapper herein has but three preformed curved walls 11A, 12A and 13A, with a triangular surround ing carton 22A. The depressions 18A may obviously be slightly deeper or formed as desired. The employment of a filler and carton of this shape obviously consenes space where same are packed in dozen or more lots in a larger container.

The modified form illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 preferably is provided with the preformed arched walls 113 to 143 having projections 25 thereon, but without any depressions such as 18 of the first form. As more clearly seen in Fig. '7, this form is designed to be used about a carton 30, which may have a fragile article therein, so that both the carton and article are cushioned and protected. Obviously this embodiment is susceptible of use as a filler in a surrounding carton.

By the selected embodiments chosen for illustration herein it is apparent that the improvements may be designed as a protective covering or cushion member for's quare, rounded or variously shaped articles or. containers.

In allof the embodiments, it is notable that the preformed arched walls, when the wrapper is used as'a filler as in Fig. 4, deflneair cushions. with the adjacent plane walls of the container 22. These areas are meniscus or crescent shaped and serve as buffers or cushions onall sides of the packed article and materially: contribute to the efliciency of the improvements. Accordingly pressure or shocks experienced between the edges of the carton are resisted and absorbed by the provision of this feature.

Various modiiicationsand advantages of the present improvements will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope and purview of the inven tion.

I claim:

1. A wrapper for an individual article comprising a sheet of material having a plurality of preformed arched parallel portions, folding means disposed longitudinally of and between adjacent portions and recesses in said arched portions for receiving a portion of the packed article, said portions when folded being arched inwardly toward the article to be packed.

2. A wrapper for an individual fragile article comprising a sheet of material having parallel fold lines, the sections of the sheet between said fold lines being permanently bowed, article receiving cups in said bowed sections for receiving a portion of the contained article, said bowed sections being curved inwardly toward the article when the sheet is folded.

3. A wrapper for an individual fragile article comprising a plurality of similarly arched parallel sections, hinge means between said sections, projections on said arched sections for engaging a portion of a contained article,said sections when folded being arched inwardly toward the packed article with said projections engaging same.

4. A wrapper for an individual fragile article comprising a plurality of, similarly arched parallel sections, hinge means between said sections, projections and recesses on said arched sections for engaging portions of a contained article, said sections when folded providing inwardly arched walls surrounding a contained article with said projections and recesses engaging same.

5. A wrapper for an individual fragile article.

comprising a plurality of arched parallel sections,

. at least one of said sections being permanently arched throughout its length, hinge means be tween said sections. projections and depressions formed on said arched sections. the projections extending in one direction with respect to the curved walls of the sections and the depressions extending in an opposite direction with respect to the curved walls of the sections, said sections when folded, providing walls curved inwardly toward the contained article with the projections protruding toward and the depressions extending away from a contained article.

6. A wrapper for an individual article comprising a plurality of substantially parallel preformed concave-convex self-sustaining. sections, longitudinal folding means connecting adjacent sections, an article conforming recess in the convex surface of at least one of said sections, said sections when folded to provide a wrapper being curved inwardly toward a contained article with the recess extending away therefrom.

'l. A wrapper for an individual article comprising a sheet of material having a plurality of substantially parallel preformed self-sustaining convex sections, longitudinal folding means connecting adjacent sections, an article engaging projection integral with at least one of said sections, said sections when folded to provide a'wrappe'r being curved inwardly toward the embraced article.

8. A wrapper for an individual article compris+ ing a plurality 0 substantiallyparallel preformed self -sustaining concavo-convex sections, folding means connecting said sections along their longitudinal edges, an article conforming recess and an article engaging protuberance on the convex sur-- face of one of said sections, 1 said sections when folded to provide a wrapper being curved inwardly toward the contained article. I

9. In a sleeve-like wrapper for individual fragile articles, a wall member arched inwardly from end to end toward the article to be packed and permanently created in such arched condition so as to be self-sustaining, and an article'engaging formation bulged from said archedwall member.

10. A folded sleeve-like wrapper for an individual fragile article comprising a plurality of relatively rigid upstanding walls, each wall being permanently bowed in self-sustaining condition toward the contained article, an article receiving unbroken recess similarly positioned on each wall whereby a pocket is provided by the combined recesses of the several walls, and hinge means between the several walls.

11. A packing member for an individual fragile article adapted to be folded to provide an open ended sleeve-like wrapper comprising asheet of relatively yieldable material having spaced parallel hinge means dividing the sheet into wall sec-.

tions, portions of said sections being permanently bowed, opposed wall sections having an'abutment projecting toward the enclosed article when the container having bottom, top and side walls and a an article receiver therein, said receiver comprising a sheet of material folded along' parallel lines into pairs of hinged strips, one'strip of .each pair standing substantially erect and; having spaced raised articles engaging formations and the other strip of each pair being disposed at an acute angle with respect to ,theerect'strip of its pair and having a positioning and cushioning concavity disposed intermediate the raised formations of the erect strip of its-pair; the hinged strips providing the acute angled relation having their hinged edges in the angle ,formed by the adjoining container walls whereby to brace said walls and container in resisting pressures on the package as a whole.

13. A filler for holding fragile articles comprising a sheet of material having a longitudinal formation along which it is folded into parallel hinged strips, one strip standing substantially erect and being provided'with spaced raised formations, another of said'strips forming an acute angle with the erect strip and having an article 14. A filler for holding fragile articles comprising a sheet of material folded along parallel fold lines into at least four hinged strips, two of said strips standing in substantially vertical positions and being provided with spaced raised formations extending vertically along a portion of said strips, the remaining two strips being disposed at acute angles each with respect to a contiguous vertical strip, each of said last mentioned two strips having at least one concavity disposed intermediate the raised formations of its adjoining vertical strip.

15. A'package for fragile articles comprising a container having bottom, top and side walls and an article receiver therein, said receiver comprising a sheet of material folded along parallel lines into pairs of'hinged strips, one strip of each pair standing substantially erect and having spaced raised article engaging formations and the other strip or each pair being arched and disposed at an acute angle with respect to the erect strip of its pair and having a. positioning and cushioning concavity disposed intermediate the raised formations of the erect strip of its pair, the hinged strips providing the acute angled relation having their hinged edges in the angle-formed by the adjoining container walls whereby to brace said walls and container in resisting pressures on the package as a whole.

MORRIS KOPPELMAN. 

